Towel tote

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a lightweight carryall for a beach towel, with additional storage space, in the form of pockets. This apparatus can be used with any towel, thus obviating the need to purchase special beach towel/tote bag combinations. Briefly, the apparatus is secured around a rolled towel, using straps which can be tied or secured using a fastener, such as Velcro®. The apparatus also has shoulder straps, which allow the apparatus and attached towel to be worn as a backpack, thereby freeing the user&#39;s arms and hands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frequenting a beach, lake, pool or camp is a common summertime activity,especially for children. A trip to a beach or lake typically requiresthe visitor to bring with them a variety of items, including but notlimited to a towel, suntan lotion, a radio or MP3 player, a snack,sunglasses, a book, a cell phone, a change of clothing and a wallet.Carrying these items can be cumbersome, so numerous devices have beencreated to address this problem.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,828, issued to Otley et al. describes atowel with zippered pockets that can be folded and used as a tote bag.U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,986 discloses a carryall suitable for transporting atowel, having a plurality of enclosures that can be used for storage.Patent Application US2004/0155077 also discloses a combination beachtowel and knapsack. This towel can be converted into a knapsack,suitable for wearing on the user's back and also has a storage pocket.

Each of these disclosures attempts to alleviate the burden of carrying avariety of items to the beach. However, in all three cases, the solutionrequires the purchase of a special towel. In other words, a family wouldbe required to buy at least one towel for each family member (assumingthat the same towel could be used every day). If the specialized towelwere not washed and ready for use the next day, the user would be forcedto either forgo bringing the towel, or bring it without cleaning itfirst. Additional special purpose towels would need to be purchased toinsure availability in the case of guests. Furthermore, due to thespecial features incorporated in each of these towels, they are lesspractical for everyday use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.The present invention provides a lightweight but durable carryall for abeach towel or other object(s), with additional storage space, in theform of pockets. This apparatus can be used with any bath or beach sizedtowel, thus obviating the need to purchase special beach towel/tote bagcombinations. Briefly, the apparatus is secured around a folded androlled towel, using straps that can be tied together or secured with afastener, such as Velcro®. The apparatus also has shoulder straps, whichallow the apparatus and attached towel to be worn as a backpack, therebyfreeing the user's arms and hands. This allows “hands free” mobility forsafe travel such as on foot, bike, scooter, moped, or motorcycle. “Handsfree” mobility is an important safety feature for all users, especiallyfor children, caretakers who wish to hold the hands of children, orthose who wish to free their hands to carry other items. The tote canalso be used without a towel to secure clothing or items for anovernight stay or other purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the present invention as it is intended to beworn; and

FIG. 3 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the present invention. The presentinvention has a main portion 10, from which at least one elongatedmember 20 extends. This elongated member 20 is adapted to encircle abeach towel or blanket that is sheet-like and is preferably in arolled-up state, or other objects having similar bulk, such as a changeof clothing that is appropriately rolled-up or bundled. In the preferredembodiment, two such elongated members 20 are shown, each with a pair offree ends, although the invention is not so limited. These elongatedmembers preferably extend from the main body 10 of the tote between 6and 12 inches and wrap around the object to be carried. These elongatedmembers 20, which are preferably between 1 and 2 inches wide, are thenfastened together to hold the object in place. These can be fastenedusing a fastener, such as Velcro®, metal or plastic clasps, or otherfastening devices, or may simply be tied together.

In the preferred embodiment, the towel is first folded in half, or inthirds, along the smaller dimension. The towel is then rolled along thelonger dimension, thereby yielding a cylindrical shape. Thiscylindrically shaped towel is then secured in the towel tote, such thatthe cylinder is vertically aligned, as shown in FIG. 2.

Two loops 40, one located on each side of the main portion 10, areattached to the elongated members 20. These loops 40 are of such a sizeand distance apart so as to allow the user to place one arm in each ofthe loops, thus allowing the tote to be worn around the shoulders as aknapsack. Each of these loops is preferably a single piece of fabric orwebbing, however, adjustable or elastic straps are also within the scopeof the invention. In the preferred embodiment, these loops 40 arebetween 24 and 40 inches in circumference, and roughly 1-2 inches wide.The loops 40 can also be formed once the apparatus is appropriatelypositioned on the user, such as by securing opposite ends of each loopwith a fastening device such as Velcro.

In a second embodiment, the loops 40 can be attached directly to themain portion 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred method of use for the towel tote. Usingthe loops 40, the user can carry the towel or other object(s) and totelike a knapsack, or backpack. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the apparatus can be worn on the front of the body as well.

Also located on the main portion of the tote are one or more pockets 50.These pockets 50 can be used to hold a variety of items, such as suntanlotion, a wallet, keys, a radio, water bottle, beverage, book,sunscreen, or other sundries typically transported to the beach, pool orcamp. The opening of the pocket 50 can be secured onto the main portionsuch as with a zipper, drawstring or Velcro®, if desired, to minimizethe risk of items inadvertently falling from the pocket.

In the preferred embodiment, the main pocket 50 is secured via adrawstring and has an opening of between 7-12 inches. This allows theplacement of a water bottle, or soda bottle in the main pocket. Asecond, smaller pocket 51 is also located on the main portion. Thissecond pocket 51 is suitable to hold a wallet, keys, cell phone or otherarticles of an equivalent size. Alternatively, this second pocket couldbe placed on the back size of the main portion so as to hide it fromview.

By having pockets in the tote and the ability to wear the tote as abackpack, the user's hands and arms are unencumbered. This allows theuser to walk, run, bicycle, or skateboard to the pool, lake or beach.This solution allows children to bicycle with all of the necessaryitems, without fear that the towel will be dropped, or get tangled inthe spokes of the bicycle. Further, it reduces the risk that the childwill fall from the bicycle, since they are able to ride using bothhands. In the case of an adult, this frees the adult's hand to carryadditional items, or to hold their child's hand.

Adding pockets to the beach towels, as shown in FIG. 3, can enhance thestorage capacity of the present invention. In this embodiment, thestorage pocket of the tote is supplemented by the addition of one ormore pockets 110 sewn into the towel 100.

1. An apparatus for carrying a beach towel and other items, comprising:a main portion; at least one elongated member extending from each sideof said main portion, adapted to wrap around and secure said towel; atleast two straps, each attached to said at least one elongated member,configured so as to provide two loops, each loop adapted to receive arespective arm of a user, thereby allowing said apparatus to be worn asa knapsack.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main portioncomprises one or more pockets.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one of said elongated members comprises a fastener such that saidelongated member can be fastened to said elongated member extending fromthe opposite side of said main portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said straps are adjustable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising four elongated members, wherein two of said four members areattached on each side of said main portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said elongated members are made from fabric.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said elongated members are made from webbing.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said straps are made from fabric.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said straps are made from webbing.
 10. Anapparatus for carrying a beach towel and other items, comprising: a mainportion; at least one elongated member extending from each side of saidmain portion, adapted to wrap around and secure said towel; at least twostraps, each attached to said main portion, configured so as to providetwo loops, each loop adapted to receive a respective arm of a user,thereby allowing said apparatus to be worn as a knapsack.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein said main portion comprises one or morepockets.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of saidelongated members comprises a fastener such that said elongated membercan be fastened to said elongated member extending from the oppositeside of said main portion.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein saidstraps are adjustable.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, comprising fourelongated members, wherein two of said four members are attached on eachside of said main portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein saidelongated members are made from fabric.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein said elongated members are made from webbing.
 17. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein said straps are made from fabric.
 18. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein said straps are made from webbing.